It does not matter which wrist you wear the device on, please wear it on the wrist most comfortable for you.
You should start wearing the monitor right away, as it is set up to record data immediately. The monitor is designed to be worn continuously for the 7-day data collection period.
The activity monitor has been set up to turn itself on automatically just after it is sent to you. Due to the limited battery life of the device, we ask that you put it on soon after it arrives and wear it continuously for 7 days to provide us with complete information about your activity.
No, the device is designed solely to track movement. It captures the speed and direction of your activity across three axes: up/down, forwards/backwards, and left/right. It does not track heart rate, location, or other personal data
There is no user-interface for the monitor, and it is already configured for use. As it is completely silent, you will not be able to tell that it is running. Please put the device on your wrist as soon after it arrives and wear it continuously for 7 days.
Please wear the monitor even if your activities do not represent a typical week. The activity monitoring is designed as a snapshot in time and researchers will take into account that the last 7 days may not represent a usual week for some people for many reasons including injury, illness, holidays or other special circumstances. You do not need to notify us about these circumstances, your contribution remains important to the study.
It is better if you wear the activity monitor continuously throughout the 7-day period. This will ensure that it provides more complete information about the duration, frequency and intensity of your activity. It is robust and waterproof and has been designed to be worn when working or sleeping, having a bath or shower, or playing any type of sport (including swimming). If you need to take the monitor off for some reason, then you can put it back on as soon as it is convenient and it will continue recording your activity.
The monitor is robust and waterproof. It can be worn when having a bath or shower and when doing manual work, flying on a plane or playing sport (including swimming). Extreme temperatures may damage the battery so it should be taken off while you, for example, have a sauna.
Yes. Please remove the activity monitor if you are required to do so for work, but don’t forget to put it back on again afterwards.
Yes. Put the monitor on your wrist and take it off after 7 days, but please remember to return it to us as soon as possible. The activity monitoring is designed as a snapshot in time and researchers will take into account that the last 7 days may not represent a typical week for some people for many reasons including injury, illness, holidays or other special circumstances.
The monitor has a limited battery life, and we only require 7 days’ worth of data. Please return it to us as soon as possible after the 7 days has been completed in the addressed padded envelope provided.
The ABC Study takes the confidentiality of information about participants extremely seriously. The activity monitor does not contain any information that could identify you directly. A special number on each device is matched with your “ABC ID number”, and the key to this number is known only to a small number of ABC Study staff. Your personal details about your health and lifestyle are stored separately.
Please mail the device back to us as soon as possible after recording for 7 days. All you need to do is put it into the Reply-paid padded envelope provided. Seal the envelope and put it in a post box. The cost of postage has already been paid.
Don’t worry, you can return the activity monitor to us in a standard envelope (though a padded envelope would be better). There is no need to pay for postage, please use the following Reply-paid address:
ABC Study
Cancer Epidemiology Division
Reply Paid 89916
Melbourne VIC 3004
There are no costs to you other than your time for participating in the study. Costs for the monitors, survey, and postage are covered by the ABC Study.
No, this is a volunteer activity, and your participation will help researchers to understand how different patterns of moving, sitting and sleeping are associated with the development of cancer and other diseases.
No. This device has been used in various research studies and will not interfere with any other devices you may wear.
If you have a chronic health condition that limits your activity, you can still participate in the study.
Yes, you are still able to participate in the study if you are unable to walk due to an injury or disability. The activity monitoring is designed as a snapshot in time and researchers will take into account that the last 7 days may not represent a typical week for some people for many reasons including injury or other special circumstances.
We do not share individual results as this information is used for research only. ABC Study participants will receive annual newsletters which will highlight any interesting findings as they become available, or future plans for the study. You might not receive any direct benefits by participating in the ABC Study, but the results of the research could benefit others in the future.